Geoarchaeological remote sensing prospection of Miocene limestone quarries in the hinterland of Roman Carnuntum and Vindobona (Vienna Basin, Austria)

Abstract We have documented quarries in Miocene limestone the Vienna Basin (Austria), Hundsheim Mountains, Leitha Mountains and Rust Hills high-resolution airborne laser scanning data orthophotos aiming for a diachronic quarry inventory since Roman period. The study region was divided into 6 regions of whole area as well each separate were analyzed concerning different rock types, mean, minimum maximum development maps. Age information been sought from historical maps, photography paintings face graffiti. In total, 658 quarries, possible shallow outlined detailed digital terrain models, which compared with 453 indicated four generations maps between years 1754 to 1872. numbers are generally low Walter map (1754–1756), First Military Survey (1773–1785) Second (1809–1846) but increase tremendously Third (1872–1873). Most old quarried also subsequent periods, commonly destroying virtually all pre-existing traces. According our results two types represent highly interesting targets more studies search quarries: (i) areas suspicious uneven terrain, never that mapped “old quarries” – especially Survey; examples northwest west Pfaffenberg Bad Deutsch-Altenburg (Lower Austria), “ Gruibert ” Winden am See (Burgenland) Hoher Berg Stotzing (Burgenland); (ii) Shallow neither appear nor mining archive Geological Austria like one saddle Hundsheimer Berg.